Petrels, Shearwaters, and Diving Petrels
Snow Petrel
Pagodroma nivea
LCLeast Concern
- Length
- 30–40 cm
- Family
- Petrels, Shearwaters, and Diving Petrels (Procellariidae)
- Order
- Procellariiformes
Overview
The snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea) is the only member of the genus Pagodroma. It is one of only three birds that have been seen at the Geographic South Pole, along with the Antarctic petrel and the south polar skua, and it has the most southerly breeding sites of any bird, inland in Antarctica.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Diet: Krill and small fish.
How to identify it
- Pure white petrel with a black eye and black bill
- Flies close to pack ice and icebergs
- Breeds on nunataks far inland
Voice
Harsh chattering at nests.
Where to see it
- Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula pack ice
Destination guides featuring this bird
Antarctica
Snow Hill Island
An Emperor Penguin colony reached by icebreaker and helicopter.
- JJanuary: Poor or no data
- FFebruary: Poor or no data
- MMarch: Poor or no data
- AApril: Poor or no data
- MMay: Poor or no data
- JJune: Poor or no data
- JJuly: Poor or no data
- AAugust: Poor or no data
- SSeptember: Poor or no data
- OOctober: Best
- NNovember: Best
- DDecember: Good
Antarctica
Antarctic Peninsula
Penguin colonies among glaciers and icebergs on an expedition cruise.
- JJanuary: Best
- FFebruary: Best
- MMarch: Good
- AApril: Poor or no data
- MMay: Poor or no data
- JJune: Poor or no data
- JJuly: Poor or no data
- AAugust: Poor or no data
- SSeptember: Poor or no data
- OOctober: Poor or no data
- NNovember: Good
- DDecember: Best
Range and habitat
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Snow petrel
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
